A notable feature of the interior was the lantern above the void in the two upper floors which provided natural lighting to the building.

[1] The North Brisbane School of Arts was established in 1849 and its first premises were located on the corner Queen and Creek Streets.

The School of Arts provided a library for members, conducted public lectures, and organised classes in a wide variety of subjects.

In 1908, to make room for an increase in the number of books, an extension, designed by Messrs Atkinson and McLay, was built beside the hall.

[1] In 1966 trusteeship of the property was transferred to the Brisbane City Council which continued to operate a public library at the site until 1981.

[1] The entry stairs and front and side verandahs contain timber balustrades of diagonal crossed pieces and circular brackets below the eaves.

The library extension (1908) is constructed in a similar manner and consists of a double height room with a lantern roof light.

[1] Brisbane School of Arts was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The School of Arts is significant for the successful integration of the extensions under various architects, especially the verandahs designed by Richard Gailey.